Abstract

Background: Neuronal studies on diabetes mellitus (DM) were previously based on peripheral and autonomic nerves. With the advent of Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEPs), studies on sensory pathways in the central nervous system become easier and more productive. BAEPs is a non-invasive electrophysiological tool to detect retro-cochlear lesion. Hence, it is helpful to detect early Impairment of the auditory nerve and brainstem function.

Aim and Objective: DM Type 2 (T2DM) is a known cause of neuropathy and in earlier course, it involves sensory nerves. T2DM runs in families and it has a genetic predisposition. BAEP is one of the methods to find out problems related to hearing by analyzing latencies of waveforms and inter-peak latencies. Hence, BAEPs in apparently healthy subjects with and without family history of T2DM is assessed.

Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional, casecontrol study. We have taken 110 volunteers from MBBS students of IMS, BHU of 17–23 years of age. Those with co-morbid conditions (eg. diabetes and hypertension), neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathy, schizophrenia, and those on ototoxic and neurotoxic drugs are excluded from the study. After taking consent and conducting a preliminary physical examination, BAEPs are recorded using a proper BAEP recording device. Statistical analysis is done using SPSS 2016 software trial version with Chi-square test.

Results: The subjects with positive family history of T2DM in paternal grandfather showed deviation in latencies of BAEPs wave I (P < 0.001), wave III (P = 0.019), wave V (P = 0.033), and inter-peak latency between wave I and wave V (P = 0.019) from the normal values in the left ear. The subjects with positive family history of T2DM in paternal grandmother showed deviation from the normal in case of V/I % in the right ear (P = 0.016).

Conclusion: The presence of T2DM in families can affect the wave latencies and inter-peak latencies of BAEPs.

Key words: Diabetes Mellitus Type 2; Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials; Wave Latencies; Inter-peak Latencies